Mastin Moor: Chesterfield

No Fines concrete dwellings are renowned for their poor thermal properties and for being susceptible to damp ingress. Chesterfield Borough Council looked to upgrade these properties in Mastin Moor, an old mining area that is exposed to the British elements, to bring them in line with current building regulations and give their tenants warmer homes, that were cheaper to heat.

A Wetherby Insulated Render System was specified, as calculations showed that by installing 60mm Phenolic Insulation as part of the system, the U-value would be significantly reduced from 2.1W/m²K to 0.29W/m²K.

The design criteria for the 79 No Fines properties was to provide both an increase in thermal efficiency and a durable, yet aesthetically pleasing façade to the streets involved. This was achieved by specifying various shades of bright Wetherby Spar Dash as a final finish on the system.

The workmanship on this project was outstanding. Every stage of the installation was inspected and scrutinised by the British Board of Agrément as part of the industry’s first pilot SWIGA scheme, which has been established to provide the Client with a latent defects 25 year guarantee for External Wall Insulation installations.

Chesterfield Borough Council were so impressed with this scheme that repeat work and project continuation has been negotiated. Other Local Authorities have had tenants visit the site to view and understand the processes involved, so that they may understand how to go about insulating their own thermally inefficient housing stock.

Although you may look at this project and think that a three bedroomed No Fines refurbishment is nothing unusual, bear in mind that it is this type of property that our industry will be upgrading in vast numbers, providing optimum comfort, freeing people from fuel poverty and giving them a renewed pride in their homes.